I cleared my throat. "To see if it’s safe for your nieces."
She let out a quiet laugh and nodded. "Sure. Let’s see the view."
I followed her as she stepped out onto the balcony. The city stretched beneath us in steel and sunlight. The door clicked shut behind me. She walked to the railing, her hand rested lightly on the edge, her back to me.
She didn’t speak right away. Just stood there. Breathing.
I lingered just in front of the door and watched her shoulders drop, just a little. The first time she’d relaxed since the lobby.
She was carrying more than just a lease application.
"It’s quiet up here," she said finally, her voice softer. "I forgot what that felt like."
She looked up, eyes tracing the sky. Then gave a small, embarrassed laugh. "I haven’t stood still in weeks."
I leaned against the doorframe. "In that case, take all the time you need."
She turned slightly toward me, still scanning the skyline. "What about at night?"
I raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"
"Can you see the stars? Or is it all drowned out by the city lights?"
That caught me off guard.
"I’m kind of a stargazing nerd," she admitted. "I can point out most of the constellations. My nieces think I should work for NASA."
I huffed a short laugh. "I’ve never really paid attention."
Then I added, "And maybe I shouldn’t admit this, but I’m not even sure I could find the North Star."
She gasped in mock horror. "Don’t tell my nieces that. You’ll be banned from the telescope club."
I blinked.
She wants me to meet her nieces?
My brain caught up. Just an expression. A joke.
Still, the thought lingered.
We moved back inside slowly, neither of us in a rush. She glanced around once more like she was mentally filing it all away.
At the door, she turned slightly toward me. "Thank you again. Really. This helped more than you know."
Then she paused, eyebrows pinching slightly. "I just realized, I don’t even know your name."
I let out a breath of a laugh. "Liam."
She smiled, reaching out her hand. "Claire."
We shook hands.
She let go and stepped back. "Well, Liam... thank you."
I should be relieved to wrap up the tour. Open the delivery box. Inspect my new books. But instead?
Disappointment.
